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How to Set Up AirPods 5, Get a Secure Fit, and Tune Spatial Audio

Pair AirPods 5, position them for a snug fit, and configure Spatial Audio for supported content.
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To set up AirPods 5, turn on Bluetooth, open the charging case beside your iPhone or iPad, and follow the onscreen prompts. Then gently press the earbuds into your ears and rotate them toward your face. For supported content, you can also choose whether Spatial Audio is off, fixed, or head-tracked.

How do I pair AirPods 5 with an iPhone or iPad?

  1. Turn on Bluetooth in Settings. Apple recommends using the latest iOS or iPadOS version; a network connection may be needed for Find My features.
  2. With the AirPods inside, open the charging case and hold it near your iPhone or iPad.
  3. When the setup animation appears, follow the onscreen instructions and tap Done.

Apple’s AirPods pairing guide describes these steps and the manual pairing option.

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If the setup animation does not appear

  1. Keep the AirPods inside the open case and hold it near your device.
  2. Double-tap the front of the case. Wait for the status light to flash white.
  3. On your iPhone or iPad, open Bluetooth settings and select the AirPods.

How do I connect AirPods 5 to a Mac?

  1. Open the charging case with the AirPods inside and hold it near your Mac.
  2. Double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white.
  3. On the Mac, open System Settings, choose Bluetooth, select the AirPods, and connect.

After setting AirPods up with one Apple device, Apple says they connect automatically to your other Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account.

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How should AirPods 5 fit?

Apple’s instruction is: “Gently press AirPods in your ears and rotate toward your face. Your AirPods should feel snug and secure.” That is the manufacturer’s guidance, not a guarantee of an individual fit; comfort and stability can vary from person to person. Apple’s cited AirPods 5 instructions do not provide a sizing system.

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Do not use the AirPods Pro Ear Tip Fit Test or Acoustic Seal Test as an AirPods 5 fit check. Apple describes those tests for AirPods Pro models, which have ear tips; AirPods 5’s fit guidance is different. See Apple’s AirPods 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods 5 fit instructions and its separate AirPods Pro ear-tip guidance.

How do I turn on Spatial Audio on AirPods 5?

AirPods 5 support Spatial Audio and head tracking for supported shows, movies, songs, games, and FaceTime calls. On an iPhone or iPad, connect and wear your AirPods, then open Control Center. Touch and hold the volume control, tap Spatial Audio, and choose an option:

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Setting What it does Choose it when
Off Turns off Spatial Audio and head tracking. You want ordinary stereo playback without Spatial Audio processing.
Fixed Keeps Spatial Audio on without head tracking. You want Spatial Audio without sound responding to head movement.
Head Tracked Turns on Spatial Audio and head tracking. You want the audio presentation to respond to head movement.

Apple says the choice is saved per app, so you may need to set it again in another app. Spatial Audio is not available for every app or item of content. See Apple’s Spatial Audio and head-tracking instructions.

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Set up Personalized Spatial Audio (optional)

Personalized Spatial Audio uses a profile to customize the experience. Apple requires an iPhone X or later running iOS 16 or later, with a TrueDepth camera. With the AirPods connected, open the AirPods settings, choose Personalized Spatial Audio, then Personalize Spatial Audio, and follow the capture prompts. Apple says the profile syncs to supported Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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